CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP), acknowledging the gargantuan task of intelligence-gathering, is recruiting professionals to help the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in its special investigative work.

Senior Superintendent Rene D. Ong, chief of the Directorial Staff (CDS), said that they are tapping doctors, lawyers, journalists, chemists, and businessmen for their voluntary services in sharing information and their expertise in order to assist the CIDG.

“We believe that no amount of skillful law enforcement and meticulous police work can effectively aid in crime prevention and control without the indispensable and active participation of the professional sectors in the community,” said Ong.

The mass oath-taking and seminar of hundreds of volunteers for the Community Investigative Support (CIS) unit of the CIDG was held recently at Camp Crame.

Sr. Supt. Joel Balba, one of the speakers during the seminar, said that the CIDG are targeting to recruit around 1,000 professionals throughout the country — from Luzon to Mindanao.

“The main task of the CIS is to investigate and gather information in the community and there is now an urgent need for establishing a mutually beneficial partnership in the community,” said Balba.

Sr. Supt. Rudy Lacadin, CIDG Region 3 chief, said that an initial number of 48 members were recruited in Central Luzon through a thorough selection from various provinces in the region.

Ong said that the CIS was conceptualized within the context of the PNP Letter of Instruction “Bayanihan” in its efforts to curb criminality and maintain peace and order with the participation of the community. “The CIS will serve as the CIDG’s citizen investigative network whose function is to help in information and evidence gathering, pre-empt crimes and to solve cases,” pointed out Ong.

The CIS will become legitimate agents of the CIDG as they were clothed legally with the power to arrest lawless elements, issued CIDG’s badge and identification cards and are on the official roster of the CIDG.

The PNP were alarmed by the reports that there are certain organized crime groups that possess more sophisticated firearms and network than the police and this has prompted the PNP leadership to tap, organize and mobilize the CIS to assist the CIDG.